Police staff survey to reveal force at ‘breaking point’

The chairman of the Scottish Police Federation has said the first major survey of Police Scotland staff will reveal a police force at “breaking point”.

Police workers were recently asked to take part in an “office and staff engagement survey” jointly conducted by Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.

The survey closed at the end of June, shortly before a controversial incident involving the discovery of a crashed car three days after the accident was reported to police.

It was one of a number of recent incidents for which Police Scotland has come under political attack, including revelations about its stop and search practices and alleged poor governance and accountability.

A spokesperson for the police force said the staff survey was “the largest of its kind and the first since Police Scotland began”, and the results are currently being analysed by an independent third-party organisation.

Scottish Labour has called on the survey report to be published as soon as possible.

Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, has warned that the survey’s findings are likely to make “very uncomfortable reading” for police chiefs.

He said: “We know our members are working harder and longer than ever, face greater disruption than ever before and that in parts of the service they are at breaking point.

“We also know that policing in Scotland has undergone the most monumental public-sector reform and against a backdrop of austerity, pension reform, real-terms wage deflation and a relentless media frenzy, we fully expect the staff survey will make for some very uncomfortable reading.

“We can’t recall any other body being expected to publish its internal reports, but given the increased politicised nature of policing in Scotland we won’t be surprised that the usual commentators will use this as another stick with which to beat, what is by any measure, an excellent public service.

“Our members deserve to be recognised for the work they do and service they provide. We believe this survey will reinforce that they have sacrificed a great deal to deliver for our communities and that it is time they were given the chance to catch their breath.

“We know that unless the service looks after its staff, it is all of our communities who suffer.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We look forward to working with all our employees as we go forward taking into account any changes which may be needed.”